Kolkata to get Rs 170 cr water research centre

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave its approval to the proposal for establishing the International Centre for Drinking Water Quality in Kolkata at a cost of Rs 176.64 crores.

The Centre will be registered as a ´Society´ under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, with the requisite manpower, building and support infrastructure.

The basic aim of the Centre is to work in the area of identification, mitigation and management with focus on research and development on drinking water quality related problems in India (both urban and rural) with a focus among other contaminants, also on arsenic and fluoride.

The Centre will also provide policy advice on request to the central and state governments as also to other countries on demand on water quality issues.

The Centre will benefit the entire population of the country through provision of safe and quality drinking water. All states and districts in the country will be covered as bacteriological contamination is more or less evenly spread and focus will also be made on drinking water quality affected habitations in the states and districts.

The total cost of the project will be Rs 176.64 crores. The entire expenditure will be met out of the funds provided to the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

The Centre is to be established on 8.72 acres of land at Joka, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata earmarked for the purpose by the West Bengal government.